Sagada's Mystical Echo Valley...

The Philippines is not all about islands and beaches. Up a Mountain Province stretch of the

Cordilleras, lies hidden the quaint, trails haven, pine scented municipality of Sagada. A definite backpackers' paradise, the destination merits a few days stay... a trail a day, to immerse self with the natural and sacred finds the Igorot tribes have all along been treasured with.

Echo Valley Trail is my initial feature on Sagada... the Hanging Coffins having long been the area's signature draw.

The age old tribal tradition of hanging coffins along a cliff side were actually reserved for those who died of natural causes and old age. Otherwise, the burials meant placing the coffins inside caves, the farthest in being... those with "shaded" pasts, along with the stillborn who were considered to not having seen the light of day in the first place.  

Past through the hallowed grounds... the trail turns into a nature rich experience. On a wet

day, expect sections of the paths to be quite slippery... however, with caution, trekking through is thoroughly manageable. The mountain fresh pine scented cool air, micro-climate flora will

purify a soul. The sounds of fauna, leaves rustling in the wind, flowing streams and springs all become one to give self a renewed sense of spiritual awareness.  The trail then leads into a stream traversing through a cave... opening on to Bokong Falls amid a panorama of green. 

Back to the village center... cafès, restaurants to fit a variety of appetites, and at least for me... the not-to-be-missed civet coffee, to further nurture an own sense of a "savoir vivrè" moment.